Aftab Ahmed Soomro, Yasmeen Taj, Karam Ali Mirjat, Aqsa Parveen, Syed Wajid Ali.
Prevalence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in urban and semi-urban areas of Karachi.
Med Forum Jan ;2(5):55-9.

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) occurs sporadically in many parts of Pakistan throughout the year. The etiologic agent is a haemoflagellate parasite of the genus Leishmania. The disease was once endemic in Balochistan but now has become highly prevalent in many cities of Sindh, including Karachi. Objective: To observe the frequency of cutaneous leishmaniasis in patients belonging to urban and semi-urban areas of Karachi, attending the Dermatology Department of Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC), Karachi. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology at Basic Medical Sciences Institute (BMSI), Karachi, from November 2003 to April 2004. Subjects and Methods: The cases from urban and semi-urban areas of Karachi diagnosed provisionally on clinical grounds were sent by the out-patient department of dermatology of JPMC to Microbiology Department of BMSI, JPMC. The affected skin wounds were cleaned by the alcohol (spirit) swab. The smear prepared from the skin ulcer tissues were stained with Field Stain A and B for microscopic examination to confirm the diagnosis by observing amastigotes (Leishmania donovani bodies). Results: A total of 42 provisionally diagnosed cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis on clinical ground were examined. Out of these, 29 were confirmed to be suffering from cutaneous leishmaniasis by observing the presence of amastigotes using microscopic examination. The remaining 13 cases were also diagnosed as cutaneous leishmaniasis on the basis of clinical appearance and response to treatment. The total number of cases from urban areas was eight, and from semi urban areas, the number of cases was 34. The patients attended the hospital belonged to following thirteen urban and semi-urban areas of Karachi: Afghan Basti 10 (23.80), Suhrab Goth 5 (11.90), Mango Pir 4 (9.52), Godap Town 4 (9.52), Sachal Goth 3 (7.14), Surjani Town 3 (7.14), Chakiwara 3 (7.14), Hub River Road 3 (7.14), Outside Karachi 2 (4.76), Maripur 2 (4.76), Manzoor colony 1 (2.38), Kashmir Colony 1 (2.38), Ayoub Goth 1 (2.38). The male-to-female gender ratio from urban areas, 6 (14.28%) were male and 2 (4.76%) were females; and from semi-urban area 23 (54.76%) were males and 11 (26.20) were females. Conclusion: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in urban and semi-urban areas of Karachi causing morbidity and significant social and economic burden. The risk can be decreased by implementing effective precautionary measures and public education.

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